Press Releases

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Jorge Jacinto Masariego (DOB: 3/30/79), with a last known address of 27 Mavis Street, Pawtucket, pleaded guilty to four counts of first degree child molestation and five counts of second degree child molestation involving three young boys, ages four, six and nine.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Masariego was sentenced to 40 years, with 20 to serve, on the counts of first degree child molestation, and 30 years, with 20 to serve, on the counts of second degree child molestation, sentences to run concurrent. Upon release, Masariego is subject to lifetime sex offender registration and community notification, including GPS monitoring. The plea of guilty was entered before Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the state was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Masariego molested three young boys on multiple occasions between December 1, 2008 and January 10, 2011.

The defendant met his victims by befriending their parents through the mutual association of a neighborhood church in Providence. Once friends with the parents, Masariego would visit their homes for social gatherings where he would bring his victims toys and gifts and ultimately molest the young boys in their homes.

The father of one of the victims noticed his son acting out of the ordinary, and when he questioned him, the young boy told him of the molestation. The victim was brought to Hasbro Children's Hospital; where upon representatives from Day One and the Providence Police were called to interview the victim and investigate the allegations. Through the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Masariego molested two other boys.

"The defendant hid behind his association with the church to identify and prey on young victims. He abused the trust put in him by his neighbors and his community in a sick and twisted ploy to get at his victims," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "When I created the Child Abuse Unit within the Department of Attorney General, it was designed to provide wrap around services to lessen the trauma on young victims of abuse. I commend the work of the team at Hasbro Children's Hospital, Day One and the Providence Police to for their work in getting the information from the victims necessary to arrest and successfully prosecute the perpetrators while creating in a safe and protective environment for the victims."

Providence Detective Christopher Rotella led the investigation and Assistant Attorney General Stephen Regine prosecuted the case on behalf of the Department of Attorney General.